Heart and Circulatory System

Question 1

Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Answer 1

Description: ischemia (lack of blood) to area of heart causes tissue death

Treatment: bypass graft around blockage or angioplasty with stent to keep coronary arteries open

Question 2

Coronary Artery Disease

Answer 2

Description: multiple areas with start of vessel disease (narrowing and stricture)

Treatment: stop smoking; increase exercise; low-fat, high-fiber diet

Question 3

Angina

Answer 3

Description: ischemia during stress or exercise, unstable angina during rest

Treatment: nitroglycerin, stop activity, stop smoking

Question 4

Arrhythmia

Answer 4

Description: irregular heartbeat

Treatment: medication, surgery, pacemaker, cardioversion

Question 5

Hypercholesterolemia

Answer 5

Description: total cholesterol greater than 200 mg

Treatment: diet and medication

Question 6

Hypertension

Answer 6

Description: blood pressure elevated greater than 140/90

Treatment: DASH diet, exercise, diet, medication, weight loss, stress reduction

Question 7

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Answer 7

Description: narrowing or occlusion of vessels in legs and feet

Treatment: bypass graft or medication

Question 8

Thrombus

Answer 8

Description: blood clot

Treatment: prevent clot from moving until dissolved

Question 9

Thrombophlebitis

Answer 9

Description: blood clot and inflammation of veins

Treatment: heparin, antibiotics, blood thinners, exercise, avoid immobility or constriction of veins

Question 10

Arteriosclerosis

Answer 10

Description: calcium and fibrous deposits inside vessels

Treatment: aspirin or blood thinners; surgery

Question 11

Atherosclerosis

Answer 11

Description: fatty deposits inside vessels

Treatment: change to low-fat, high-fiber diet and increase exercise

Question 12

Murmurs

Answer 12

Description: valvular disorder

Treatment: valve replacement in serious cases

Question 13

Congestive Heart Failure

Answer 13

Description: weak ventricle (either side); allows blood to back up; left side = SOB, frothy sputum, coughing; right side = edema and cyanosis

Treatment: medication (Lasix and Lanoxin)

Question 14

Aneurysm

Answer 14

Description: bulging weak spot in vessel

Treatment: graft inserted into area and sutured above and below weak point

Question 15

Thrombocytopenia

Answer 15

Description: decreased number of platelets

Symptoms: bruising, easy bleeding

Question 16

Leukemia

Answer 16

Description: unrestrained growth in white blood cells

Symptoms: pale, weak, low-grade fever, malaise, weight loss

Question 17

Anemia

Answer 17

Description: not enough red blood cells

Symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, pale

Question 18

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Answer 18

Description: not enough heme for oxygen to bind to on red blood cells

Symptoms: shortness if breath, fatigue, weakness, pale

Question 19

Pernicious Anemia

Answer 19

Description: lack of intrinsic factor in gastric juice

Symptoms: mental changes, weak, stiff extremities

Question 20

Sickle-cell Anemia

Answer 20

Description: abnormal hemoglobin; red blood cell changes into sickle shape and gets tangles up, causing blockage and pain

Symptoms: pain and swelling in joints of African American children

Question 21

Polycythemia Vera

Answer 21

Description: red blood cell count is elevated because of living in high altitude or genetics

Symptoms: phlebotomy is done at regular intervals